£28 family sunscreen among brands to fail safety testing, Which? finds
Ultrasun passed the UVB SPF part of the test but failed on UVA testing, scoring 9.1 and then 9.5 in a retest.
Which? required a score of 10 or more for a pass.
Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 also failed to meet minimum SPF protection levels in two tests.
The product passed UVA tests but failed the UVB/SPF tests with scores of 25.7 and then 20.7 – short of the 30 or more needed to pass.
UVA and UVB rays both cause different types of damage, and not all sun creams protect against them in the same way.
UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB to cause long-term damage, including all types of skin cancer, and play a role in the ageing process, such as causing wrinkles, sun spots and leathery skin.
UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburn and skin reddening. They do not penetrate as deeply as UVA rays but they are just as damaging, and can play a large part in the development of skin cancers including melanoma.
SPF stands for 'sun protection factor', and indicates the level of protection a sun cream provides against burning rays.
SPFs range from 2 to 50+, with 50+ offering the most protection against UVB.
Which? tested 15 popular sun creams this year, including Boots, Garnier and Nivea as well as supermarket own-brand products.
Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs £2.99 for 200ml, was found to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High (£3.79/200ml), from fellow discounter Lidl, also passed all SPF and UVA testing, with Which? describing it as a 'solid option for affordable and reliable sun protection'.
Some 11 other products, including Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml), Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30 (£7.90 for 200ml) and Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml) passed SPF and UVA safety tests.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: 'It's really concerning that widely available sunscreens could be putting families at risk by failing to offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging.
'While shoppers should avoid buying our 'don't buys', our results prove that there's no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun as we've found cheap reliable options at Aldi and Lidl.'
A spokeswoman for Ultrasun said: 'Ultrasun is fully confident in our testing protocols. As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes, independent and peer reviewed, continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards.
'Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available. Further detail and clarification from Which? on their testing protocols would also be helpful, particularly on how these resulted in two different results from the same sample.'
Morrisons told Which? that it was looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing.
A Morrisons spokeswoman added: 'We work closely with our supplier and conduct extensive efficacy and safety testing during product development. As such, all our sun care products are tested to the relevant industry test standards and are not approved for launch until they meet these standards. During development and production all tested variants consistently achieved an SPF of 30.
'In direct response to this report from Which? we have retested the SPF against the British and International Standard BS EN ISO 24444:2020 and can confirm the product has achieved an SPF value of 34.5 and can therefore be labelled as SPF 30.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP Visits Livingston Boots to Discuss Expanding Primary Care and Supporting the High Street
Livingston constituency MP Gregor Poynton has visited the Boots store in The Centre to meet staff and discuss how the retailer's healthcare and community services are supporting people across West Lothian, as well as the growing challenge of retail crime. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... During the visit, Mr Poynton was welcomed by Store Manager Kerry Sheppard, Area Manager Colette Kennett, and Pharmacy Affairs Manager Scott Jamieson. He toured the store, met with the pharmacy and retail teams, and heard about the work Boots is already doing to improve access to healthcare, support the NHS, and protect staff and customers from retail crime. The discussion also covered how community pharmacies like Boots could play an even greater role in delivering NHS services locally, from preventative healthcare to more clinical services, helping to ease pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Boots, which has been part of UK high streets for more than 175 years, employs thousands of people nationwide, including many young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Livingston store also partners with local organisations to support community projects and improve the town centre environment for residents and visitors. The discussion also covered how community pharmacies like Boots could play an even greater role in delivering NHS services locally, from preventative healthcare to more clinical services, helping to ease pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals. Following the visit Gregor Poynton MP said: 'It was a pleasure to visit Boots in The Centre, Livingston, and to meet with the dedicated pharmacy and retail teams. I want to thank them for arranging the visit and for the opportunity to hear first-hand about the vital work they are doing to support people right across my Livingston constituency. 'Community pharmacies like Boots are already making a huge contribution to local healthcare, and it's clear they have the skills, expertise, and ambition to do even more in partnership with the NHS. 'We also had an important discussion about the unacceptable rise in retail crime, which is affecting stores here in Livingston and across the UK. The UK Labour Government recognises this is a growing issue and is ramping up prevention efforts and support for retailers to tackle it. The Scottish Government now needs to step up and keep pace so that shop workers and retailers in Scotland are kept safe, and our town centres remain welcoming places for everyone.'
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
Teens with bad skin say it's 'nothing like before' after using back-to-school skincare
Summer may have provided teenagers with a respite from school, but as September approaches, some might be fearing more than just homework: the resurgence of skincare issues. With this in mind, 47 Skin, a respected beauty brand praised by reviewers for leaving their skin 'clearer and smoother,' is offering a 10% discount on its top-selling bundles in a back-to-school deal. The 2-Step Cleanse and Protect Bundle, now reduced to £47.59 from £53, includes a daily cleanser to eliminate impurities and unclog pores. A serum also works diligently to diminish spots and stubborn marks while maintaining skin hydration. For a more comprehensive routine, the 3-Step Moisture Bundle, now priced at £135 down from £150, pairs the aforementioned cleanser and serum with a daily moisturiser. It hydrates without blocking pores, making it perfect for complexions that are both prone to breakouts and dehydrated. The brand's standout ingredient, Silver Chitoderm, is the scientifically supported secret here. It's proven to eradicate 99.9% of blemish-inducing bacteria, fade the appearance of post-blemish marks and soothe angry breakouts - making it a potential lifesaver for those hoping to start the academic year with a bit more skin confidence. While 47 Skin touts this unique special ingredient, other skincare bundles are available on the market. The Ordinary's Essentials Bundle (£28.20, Boots) includes a hyaluronic acid daily moisturiser, a hyaluronic acid 2% and B5 hydrating serum, a squalane cleanser suitable for all skin types, and a niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% oil control serum, reports the Manchester Evening News. Another alternative could be Lookfantastic's The Dermatological Edit (£50). The kit includes a Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum, an Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream, Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, Bioderma Sebium Kerato + Anti-Blemish Gel-Cream and more. Returning to 47 Skin, the brand has garnered countless glowing testimonials from teenagers who have battled problematic skin. Customer Annabel revealed: "Through my late teenage years, I began to struggle with acne - it started as a little bit on my face but then spread all over my face. It began to damage my self-confidence. "I felt like I had always to be wearing makeup for it to be okay for me to go outside. I would wear makeup every day, both to school and to training and playing rugby. "I began to see a real difference in my skin when I started to use the Serum. I began to feel confident enough not to wear makeup every day, only when I want to. This has truly changed my life." Meanwhile, Laura added: "After my mum saw lots of positive reviews about 47 Skin, I decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did. After six months, my acne has definitely improved. I still get the occasional bad breakout, but it's nothing like before. My skin looks clearer, smoother and healthier overall." Nevertheless, it didn't prove effective for everyone. This disheartened review states: "The products have not done the job they said they would." On the other hand, a satisfied 47 Skin customer, Ronnie, shared: "When I would look at my friends or just people in my school, people on social media, I noticed my skin wasn't as good as theirs, and I used to feel self-conscious, but now I feel more confident than ever thanks to 47 Skin."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
'Magical' night cream that 'erases wrinkles' costs under £19 a tub on Amazon
This anti-ageing moisturiser has earned over 15,000 reviews and a 4.4 rating on Amazon. Targeting the signs of ageing is a concern for many skincare enthusiasts. Let's face it, a lot of us want to keep wrinkles at bay for as long as possible. Instead of trialling and testing a variety of products to find the best results, one moisturiser that seems to deliver on its promises is the KLEEM Organics Pro-Collagen Night Cream that costs less than £20 on Amazon. This "little pot of magic" is a budget-friendly option for beauty buffs looking to save money and see results. It often retails at £21.97 for a 50ml tub, but it's just a touch cheaper in a limited time deal at £18.61. Said to offer triple anti-age action, this night cream has been packed with three powerful bio-active ingredients - retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, all which boost the production of collagen and elastin. This means that it will have a "lifting" and "firming" effect on the skin, as it offers multiple benefits to target the likes of wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and discolouration, all within just one tub. Designed for men and women, it is suitable for all skin types, with many beauty fans the "lightweight" and "fast absorbing" formula that is said to provide results in just eight weeks. There are many other results-driven products on the market, with Boots changing the game with its No7 Future Renew Night Cream, infused with the world's-first peptide technology, that costs £37.95 for a 50ml. Meanwhile, shoppers looking for something that is a touch more affordable, then Superdrug also came out with its own Optimum Peptide Night Cream (50ml) that is now half-price at just £9, down from its regular £18. However, we can't scoff at the KLEEM Organics cream on Amazon, as it has amassed over 15,000 reviews, with praise from impressed shoppers who say it "prevents" and "erases" the appearance of wrinkles. One delighted shopper said: "A little pot of magic. I'm on my first pot of the Kleem face cream into my seventh week. So far so good, very pleased with product. Skin texture soft, feels plumped, within moments looks smoother fresh.. very happy with results, Iong may it last!!" A second review read: "This cream is easily absorbed into the skin and I think is preventing wrinkles forming. I've also put a small amount on the top of my arms and it got rid of the small red rough spots which I had for years." Another pleased shopper added: "I'm 72 and this cream really works, my face feels so smooth and what few wrinkles I had have gone. I'm really surprised so will be buying more. Thank you." Not everyone has found the formula suitable for their skin, as one three-star review read: "Smells lovely but my face still feels dry after and I haven't noticed any difference from using it." Beauty deal of the week Get multiple benefits for the skin by taking advantage of this 53 percent discount on the unique L'Oreal Paris serum. The firm's breakthrough Age Defying Serum Le Duo provides the benefits of two serums in just one pump, being the only bottle on the market to target firmness, radiance and the appearance of wrinkles. Right now, it can be yours for just £17.95 when bought on Amazon. Since a 30ml bottle usually retails £37.99, it offers an incredible £20 saving - but the deal will only be around for a limited time. This dual-function serum has been hailed as "a breakthrough innovation from L'Oréal labs", with the beloved brand suggesting it has been clinically proven to "reverse up to five years of wrinkles." In one chamber, there is a collagen Peptide Booster to rebuild firmness and smooth out wrinkles, while the other boasts powerhouse vitamins B3 and C to reignite radiance and even out skin tone. Said to be suitable for all skin types, even sensitive, this serum has been lauded for its "non greasy" texture that doesn't leave any residue on the skin or cause that dreaded 'pilling' when combined with other skincare products. Boasting a 4.3 rating in total, one review read: "A second satisfied customer said: "This serum is a game-changer! It leaves my skin feeling hydrated, smoother, and visibly radiant. A luxurious treat that's worth every drop." Don't miss Amazon's 53 percent discount on the Age Defying Serum Le Duo (30ml) that is now £17.95, down from £37.99. But another glowing review read: "Lovely cream that is gentle on skin. Spreads easily and only need a small amount. Helps to erase wrinkles." Someone else, who hailed it as "magical", added: "It has made a difference as I can see my forehead lines less visible. My face looks brighter and the skin tone clear. It's nice and thick and don't need much and it absorbs nicely. Love the smell too." Purchase the KLEEM Organics Pro-Collagen Night Cream (50ml) on Amazon for £18.61.
